Balaji Ramraj | Tuberculosis | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Indian Scientist

Dr. Balaji Ramraj | Tuberculosis | Best Researcher Award

ICMR National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, India

Author Profile

SCOPUS

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. R. Balaji began his medical journey with an MBBS degree in 2008 from K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Trichy, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to public health. He further specialized with an M.D. in Community Medicine in 2012 from KIMS, Bangalore, signaling his commitment to population health, epidemiology, and preventive strategies.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Balaji’s professional trajectory reflects a steady and consistent rise:

  • PG cum Tutor (2009–2012) at KIMS, Bangalore.

  • Assistant Professor to Professor (2012–2021) at SRM Medical College.

  • Since 2021, he has been serving as Scientist–E (Medical) at ICMR–National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis, Government of India, where his work addresses major national public health challenges.

📚 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON TUBERCULOSIS

Dr. Balaji has made significant contributions to:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) control and clinical management, including projects on Pre-XDR TB and retention in TB cascade of care.

  • Vaccine safety and immunogenicity trials, including ROTAVAC, COVAXIN, and pentavalent vaccines.

  • Allergy and Immunology, focusing on sublingual immunotherapy, a field in which he won the Best Paper Award.

  • Addressing public health emergencies such as COVID-19 stigma, varicella outbreaks, and household accidents.

  • Conducting national surveys like NFHS-5 and the NHRR project.

🏅 ACADEMIC CITES, ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

  • Book Chapter: Co-authored a chapter in Springer’s global COVID-19 volume on stigma.

  • Awards:

    • Best Paper Award – IAACON 2011.

    • Travel Award – APRC 2024.

    • Young Scientist Award – KACHCON 2024.

  • Recognized for contributions in Allergy, Clinical Trials, and TB research.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Through his work at ICMR and SRM Medical College, Dr. Balaji has:

  • Influenced national TB policies and community-based interventions in high-burden states like Meghalaya.

  • Contributed to the safety evaluation of critical vaccines rolled out during public health crises.

  • Brought scientific evidence to guide person-centered health strategies in Southeast Asia.

  • Participated in global academic discourse, presenting in international conferences (e.g., Taipei, Taiwan, 2024).

🧭 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Balaji’s work lays a robust legacy in:

  • Strengthening evidence-based practices in TB control.

  • Advancing clinical vaccine trials that impact national immunization strategies.

  • Promoting interdisciplinary public health research.

  • Shaping young professionals and students through mentorship and teaching.

Looking forward, his contributions are set to guide strategic health interventions, particularly in infectious disease management and community medicine education.

 ✅CONCLUSION

Dr. R. Balaji exemplifies a modern public health physician-scientist whose work seamlessly bridges clinical medicine, community health, and translational research. His diverse roles—from academician to scientist—have had a measurable impact on India’s public health policies, particularly in TB elimination and vaccine safety.

He is a beacon in the domain of preventive medicine, consistently steering health systems toward evidence-based, community-centered care.

 🔬NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

Diagnostic accuracy of screening and diagnostic tests used in a state-wide tuberculosis prevalence survey in India

Authors: Giridharan P., Prathiksha L.R., Inbaraj Leeberk Raja, Frederick A., Asha …, Daniel B.D., Bella Devaleenal, Padmapriyadarsini C., Chandrasekaran
Journal: (Journal name not provided; likely a tuberculosis or public health-focused open access journal)
Year: [Year not explicitly mentioned—likely 2023 or 2024]

Qualitative Study of Nutritional Support-Related Perceptions and Preferences Among Persons Affected by TB, Family Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers in India

Authors: Ramraj B. (Balaji), Nagarajan K., Karikalan, Purakayastha D.R. (Debjani Ram), …, Gupta N. (Nivedita), Padmapriyadarsini C., Chandrasekaran
Journal: (Journal name not provided; likely public health or qualitative research journal)
Year: [Likely 2023 or 2024]

Optimizing Pyrazinamide Use: A Low-Hanging Fruit in Improving Outcomes with Tuberculous Meningitis? Narrative Review

Authors: Daniel B.D. (Bella Devaleenal), Inbaraj L.R. (Leeberk Raja), Kumaravadivelu S. (Shanmugapriya), …, Ramraj B. (Balaji), Manesh A. (Abi)
Journal: (Review article in a medical or infectious disease journal)
Year: [Likely 2023 or 2024]

Clinico-demographic profile of pre-extensively drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients in India

Authors: Daniel B.D. (Bella Devaleenal), Muthuvijayalakshmi M., Oswal V.S. (Vikas S.), …, Jaju J. (Jyoti), Padmapriyadarsini C., Chandrasekaran
Journal: (Journal name not provided; likely TB or infectious disease journal)
Year: [Likely 2023 or 2024]